A friend and business leader reads his Bible and the Wall Street Journal every morning. Explaining this practice, he says, “I read the Journal to find out what is happening in the world and the Bible to know how to live in the world.” Today, it isn’t necessary to read the Wall Street Journal to learn about the financial turmoil in our country and around the globe. But it is necessary to read the Bible to learn how to live faithfully during stressful financial times. During these past weeks I’ve been reminding our staff to walk with a biblical perspective.
Scripture’s Guidance
The Psalmist writes: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). God is the owner of all things, and each of us has the privilege of living as a steward of God’s creation. We care for the resources He gives us and put our trust in the Creator of the universe, rather than in our own wisdom or the condition of current financial markets. When we grow anxious and afraid, Jesus says to us, “Do not worry . . . seek first the kingdom of God…” (Matt 6:25-33). Then we remember God’s love for us.
In the Letter to the Philippians, Paul declares his:
- joy in receiving financial help from the church
- willingness to live with much money or little money
- contentment “in Christ”
We are encouraged to abide in Jesus, receiving and responding to the love of God in a way that calls us to worship and service. Let us join Paul in saying, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). In the midst of the current economic confusion, let us stay focused on God’s mission (1:25).
Sharing With Ministry Partners
The Letter to the Philippians is, at least in part, Paul’s way to saying thank you to his supporters. Paul thrilled the church at Philippi with accounts of the Gospel advancing among the emperor’s palace guard. We, too, hope you are excited about the stories of students and faculty transformations that we regularly post on our website. New Student Orientation, conducted on campuses across the nation in August and September, is now a memory for our campus staff. Chapter planting, chapter building and evangelism are in full swing. Many wonderful things are happening, and we are very thankful for your part in making the work possible.
We realize that some of our ministry partners are going through challenging financial times. Paul encouraged the church at Philippi by reminding them of their heavenly citizenship. Again and again he calls them to rejoice. I am reminded of Paul’s words: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7).
Financial Perspective
While we can not foresee the future, we are encouraged to note that Field Giving has remained stable from July through October 2008 when compared to the same period last year. We ask for your prayers and your continuing faithful support as we head into the end of the year. We rejoice in God’s faithfulness to InterVarsity over our 67 years of ministry in His service on college and university campuses.
Alec Hill, President of InterVarsity
